With a sharp and confident reply, Gupta shut down body-shamers while reinforcing that style and self-assurance have no age limit. (Image Credits : Masala.Com)
Actor Neena Gupta has never been one to conform to rules, be it in her personal choices, career trajectory, or even fashion. Recently, she gave fans a peek into her off-screen life with a candid Instagram post from the airport.
Gupta described in the video how she manages the frequently erratic lengthy waits before flights. She has a prepared snack box with her instead of relying on eateries and cafés at the airport.
Inside her small tiffin, Gupta packs roti rolls stuffed with potatoes, chillies, paneer, onions, and a few other staples, a wholesome and easy-to-carry meal. The actor admitted that she often feels uncertain about what to order inside airports, and her home-cooked food helps her stay comfortable.
"Shorts wali desi girl," the description for the video, captured her playful nature and her self-assurance in accepting her decisions without feeling guilty.
While her fans related to her practicality and simplicity, a section of social media chose to focus elsewhere, her attire. Neena Gupta appeared in a casual black outfit that showed her legs, and this sparked unwelcome commentary.
“Only request, don’t show your legs. They are not well-toned. We have never seen dadi mummy showing their legs this way. Ageing gracefully is excellent.”
The comment quickly became the center of attention, not for its criticism of Gupta’s outfit but for its ageist and body-shaming undertones. The remark reduced a celebrated actor’s personal style to stereotypes of how older women “should” present themselves.
Fortunately, not everyone agreed with the troll. One user hit back in the comments, writing:
“What a demeaning comment from another WOMAN. Congratulations for being such a body shamer and being part of the problem.”
Supporters of Gupta were moved by her response, and many commended her for being a role model who constantly defies preconceived notions about confidence, age, and style.
In keeping with her reputation for being fearless, Neena Gupta chose not to tolerate the body-shaming. She responded to the insult directly with a clever yet impactful retort:
“Don’t worry. These people who talk like this are basically jealous that they don’t have such good body, so ignore.”
Her self-assured reply struck a chord with many, reminding both admirers and detractors that fashion and individuality are ageless. For a lot of people, it was just another illustration of why Gupta is still loved for her unquestioning honesty as well as her acting.
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Neena Gupta’s interaction highlights a broader issue in Indian society and the entertainment industry: the policing of women’s bodies and choices, especially as they age. Bollywood has long held double standards, where older male actors continue to play leading roles, but older women are expected to fade into the background or adhere to “dignified” stereotypes.
Gupta, however, has consistently defied these norms. She has made a name for herself by taking on unusual roles and sharing oddball fashion images on Instagram, demonstrating the ageless nature of skill and self-assurance.
On the professional front, Neena Gupta was recently seen in Anurag Basu’s Metro… In Dino, a romantic drama that turned out to be a box-office success. The film boasted an impressive ensemble cast featuring Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, and Anupam Kher.
Gupta's performance deepened the movie, and the fact that she has starred in profitable films shows that Bollywood viewers, regardless of age, still appreciate her work.
